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Seth P Chazin

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About Seth

During his 25 + years of experience, Attorney Chazin has successfully defended thousands of clients accused of crimes in the Bay Area and throughout California and has successfully resolved numerous of cases before charges were ever even filed. Mr. Chazin has obtained either acquittals, mistrials or reduction of charges in numerous cases throughout his 25+ year career. His firm has proven results.  View Case Results to learn more.

The Law Offices of Seth P. Chazin, have three locations to serve you in California.  Chazin provides aggressive criminal defense representation to clients in the Bay Area, East Bay, and statewide. The firm assists communities such as San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, Lafayette, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Newark, Union City, Walnut Creek, Concord, San Jose, Richmond, Danville, Daly City, San Mateo, Millbrae, Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, San Rafael, Vallejo, Pleasanton, and throughout Northern California.


When facing serious criminal charges and a potentially life-altering conviction, it is essential to consult with an attorney who will aggressively represent you and defend your rights. Criminal defense lawyer Seth P. Chazin is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized as a top expert in the area of criminal defense. He provides an aggressive defense for clients in facing misdemeanor or felony charges in San Francisco, Oakland, and throughout California.

Practice areas

Federal crimeWhite collar crimeCriminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 50%

    During his 25+ years of experience, Attorney Chazin has successfully defended thousands of clients accused of crimes in the Bay Area and throughout California (View Victories/Successes ) and has successfully resolved numerous of cases before charges were ever even filed. Mr. Chazin has obtained either acquittals, mistrials or reduction of charges in numerous cases throughout his 25+ year career. His firm has proven results.

    34 years, 3,000 cases

  2. White collar crime: 25%

    Attorney Chazin has represented defendants in numerous areas of white collar cases for many years, including Conspiracy, Embezzlement, Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Money Laundering, Extortion, Gambling,and many other areas. He has achieved excellent results on a repeated basis in all areas.

    34 years, 200 cases

  3. Federal crime: 25%

    The federal government takes the investigation of potential criminal activity very seriously. Their investigations are full-scale, often lasting a year or more before formal charges are filed. As a result, insurmountable evidence from wiretaps and other surveillance techniques can be gathered, documented and eventually used to convict you. Protect your rights and your future. Retain the services of an experienced and respected criminal defense lawyer immediately.

    34 years, 150 cases

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Photos and videos

1769423 1375303959

Contact

1164 Solano Ave
address map

Law Offices of Seth P Chazin

1164 Solano Ave
Albany, CA, 94706-1639

Law Offices of Seth P Chazin

360 Ritch Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1746

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive198810/28/2020
MARetired198712/02/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers4
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Distignguished Service AwardArab-American Anti-discrimination Comm2002
Public Lawyer of the YearState Bar of California1991
M. Jay Dramer Foundation SolarshipM. Jay Kramer Foundation Scholarship1984
Marian DavisScholarshipMarian Davis Scholarship1983
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Attorney at LawLaw Offices of Seth P. Chazin2003 - Present
Associate AttorneyMiller and Associates / Imhoff and Associates1996 - 2003
Deputy State Public DefenderOffice Of The State Public Defender1995 - 1996
Deputy Public DefenderSolano County Public Defender1988 - 1995
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Federal Bar AssociationAttorney Member2012 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member2005 - Present
Alameda County Bar AssociationAttorney Member2003 - Present
Bar Association of San FranciscoAttorney Member2003 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeAttorney Member1991 - Present
California Public Defenders AssociationAttorney Member1988 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeNominee - Board of Governors2013 - 2014
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
AspatoreEffectively Navigating Societal and Economic Influences in the Defense of Drug-Related Crimes2013
AspatoreKey Issues in Defending Internent Pornography Cases and Emerging Evidentiary Concerns2011
AspatoreEvidence Discovery in Internet Pornography Cases2011
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Golden Gate UniversityJD - Juris Doctor1984
Temple University Rome, ItalyN/A1982
University of FloridaBS - Bachelor of Science1979
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Seminar on Document Examination for the Criminal Justice Section of BASFForensic document examination from Forgery to Homicide2014
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
United States vs. Rodil NochezClient Acquitted of 7 Felony Counts

Reviews

(19)
5 Star
89%
4 Star
5%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
5%
Review Seth Chazin

A true professional attorney

Posted by

I was facing a serious felony charge which could have put me in prison for two years. Mr. Chazin worked on my case for more than a year and managed to reduce the charge to probation and house arrest which was far beyond my expectations. He is a knowledgeable, dedicated, detail oriented attorney and is always available to help you with your concerns. He treated me more like a friend than a client. I highly recommend him and his staff.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Trustworthy, Reliable, Helpful, and Kind

Posted by

I hired Seth to help me through the process of expunging my record. Not only did he work very quickly and effectively, I never felt like I was "in the dark" on what he and his team were doing in regards to my case. He was very easy to get a hold of and always willing to explain how things would work and what I could do on my end to help the process. He was a great advocate for me and went the extra mile to make sure my case was dealt with fairly and justly. Even when the county misplaced some records his team had filed, he made sure that they got another copy in a timely manner so that my case wouldn't be delayed further than it had to. He was also very careful to clarify anything about my case that seemed inconsistent or unclear, proving that he is a lawyer with great integrity. I am so glad I hired Seth and would recommend him to anyone who asked.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Help with case

Posted by

I was falsely accused, and Seth got my charges dropped. I loved working with him and his team.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Favorable deal

Posted by

I was arrested and faced 4 years for firearm/threats charges. I hired Seth, and he got me a very favorable deal that involves no time in a physical jail. He will use every legal defense available, and he will fight hard against the DA. I find Seth to be highly intelligent, organized, and professional. Furthermore, he is always available to be reached, even on weekends and at late hours in the night. I highly recommend you seek his help. When hiring Seth, make sure to hire him early, follow his guidance, and listen carefully to what he says.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Knowledgeable, competent, trustworthy

Posted by

I hired Seth after an extensive lawyer research and a meeting. He immediately shown compassion and understanding of my situation while being straight-forward with the possible consequences, which is something you definitely need from your lawyer. He has been real throughout this difficult experience, and secured what I believe is an excellent outcome. I am most impressed by his experience and skill as a negotiator.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Honest, Hard-Working, knowledgeable, talented and Reassuring!

Posted by

I hired Seth on for a pre-investigative phase. I could have been looking at easily 25+ years if charges were filed. End result was case thrown out. As anyone can imagine, finding a lawyer who not only cares about what you are going through but also fights aggressively is incredibly important. Seth did just that. Not only did he reassure me that we would get through this but he kept me updated and calm as the weeks went by, one day at a time. Any time i had questions or did my own research, he would answer accordingly and within 24 hours. He even gave suggestions on what steps to take to help further my defense regarding a P.I which did end up yielding a bit of positive results. Seth was with me every step of the way and even made sure all my statements and others were correctly done and sound, which was a massive help. If you are somebody reading this review right now and are considering hiring on Seth, i say take the leap! Even more so if its the pre-investigation stage as that's where he can fight the hardest to avoid charges even being filed! Seth was over 4 hours away from me and his communication between him and I was over the phone, text and emails so dont let that deter you if you arent close by! If you are looking for a lawyer who is honest, hard working and with you every step of the way, hire him! I'm so glad i did as the end result was completely satisfactory. Thank you Seth, you've brought peace back to my life. Worth every penny spent.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Straight forward, knowledgeable, professional, excellent, talented

Posted by

I was convicted as a PC290 register sex offender. First he help me get my felony into a misdemeanor. Then after he help me get certificate of rehabilitation and my case expunged. I am very thankful of Seth Chazin knowledge and professionalism and the time he spent to clear my record once and for all, so I can start a new journey in life. It took over a year and everyday Seth keep me updated with my case and was very determined to help me clear my record. I would highly recommend Seth Chazin straight forward and his assistant Elizabeth is very professional in sending me the detail. When ever Seth is busy. Great job and keep up the good work and helping people with there issue
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Mr. Chazin Saved My Life

Posted by

I was arrested in 2016 and faced up to 5 years based on the initial charges. I didn't know where to go or what to do and felt like my life was over. I found Mr. Chazin by searching the internet and took a chance. From the beginning he told me exactly what I needed to do (a lot of it were things I didn't like hearing but he was right), he helped get me into a program that would ultimately help me and my defense, and he was always very straight forward with me, never sugar-coating possibilities. Even though it was hard for me to hear these possibilities at the time, I needed this for a better outcome in my case and I have come to appreciate this trait in him. He is an expert and really knows what he is doing. He came up with a defense strategy early on that involved a few options and he stuck to that plan from the beginning, and he really came through in the end. He took some risks for me, pushing on the DA during negotiations and asking for time to speak with the judge. He decided when to push the case out to see wait for more favorable circumstances, all of which helped ultimately. He fought hard for me even when I felt bad about myself and my case. Ultimately Mr. Chazin help me get an outcome that will allow me to move on with my life, giving me the best chance to be ok in the future. I'm happy with the result, I think it was the best outcome I could have gotten considering the circumstances. I highly recommend Seth Chazin. I would recommend him to anyone who finds themselves in trouble, not knowing where to go. He will be there for you and he will fight for you.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Helpful, dedicated, knowledgeable

Posted by

Seth Chazin was a great help for me in getting a case dismissed from my record. He was expeditious in handling all matters involving the court and district attorney. It was a great relief to have someone like him to help me navigate the legal process surrounding my case. I would recommend his counsel for anyone.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Dedicated, Experienced, Caring, Successful

Posted by

Seth did a fantastic job with my case. Throughout the entire process he provided me with constant support and clear information. With Seth I never felt like I was out of the loop. Despite his busy schedule, he was available to take calls, texts, and emails at all hours of the day. In the end his experience with the criminal justice system shone through and he was able to get my case dismissed. If you are in need of representation, look no further. Seth will take care of you case in highly professional and timely fashion. I highly recommend his services.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(7)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Eric Schweitzer, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Seth Chazin because of his superb legal knowledge and commitment to the betterment of our profession. It takes a lot of dedication to win difficult cases and Mr. Chazin's record proves he has all that and more. If I was in trouble in the Bay Area, state or federal, I'd want Seth Chazin to be my lawyer. His certification as a criminal law specialist is well earned. Very few criminal lawyers carry this distinction.

Maria Belyi, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 14, 2016
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I endorse this lawyer. In his practice, Seth diligently works for his clients to get the best possible result. He is extremely knowledgeable and detail oriented, and he fights to ensure his clients get the best defense.

Steven York, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 27, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I have worked together on several cases with Seth over a period of 8 years. He is an excellent attorney with a remarkable skill set. I would recommend Seth to anyone facing criminal allegations.

Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 25, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Seth. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Joseph Mastro, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 3, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Seth is a longtime successful criminal defense attorney, who represents his clients with skill and professionalism. If and when I've ever had a question, he has been nothing but friendly and open in providing advice.

Riccardo Ippolito, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

James Hammond, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 20, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I cannot recommend Mr. Chazin highly enough. He has been practicing criminal defense law for 25 years and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist. I have never seen an attorney fight harder for his clients than Seth does. I recently had the privilege of watching his closing argument in a complicated federal criminal matter and was impressed with the way he clearly and convincingly explained the case and evidence to the jury. He not only summed up the case eloquently, but he seamlessly melded a multimedia presentation to drive home his points. He is a tireless worker on behalf of his clients and I have often received emails and telephone calls from him late into the night or on the weekend and discussed some point of law important to his clients' cases. He is one of the few lawyers I know who will make himself available to his clients at nearly all times of the day or night. Seth is a hard working, knowledgeable, and accessible lawyer whom I gladly endorse.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$400-$500/hour
  • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs60 minutes
PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card